It is no longer news that Brendan Rogers had an
abysmal season in Liverpool last season rather, the news is that Liverpool
owners gave him a second chance. Football analysts were not surprised when
Liverpool Central Midfielder Joe Allen admitted last month that Rodgers would
have been sacked if he was in another club "Yeah of course, some owners
may have been less tolerant after the way the season went," he said. It
got so bad that Liverpool were thumped 6-1 on the last day of the season by
Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.
Some attributed the success of the
2013/2014 season on the Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturidge fatal combination
rather than the tactical and man management genius of Rodgers. Suarez and Sturige
accounted for 52 leagues goals out of the 101 goals scored by Liverpool in the
league that season ( Suarez 31, while Sturidge got 21). The next season saw the
exit of Suarez for Barcelona and Liverpool richer by £75 million, yet Rodgers
and Liverpool used the funds irresponsibly on ineffective players like Mario
Balotelli (AC Milan), Marco Markovic (Benfica), Adam Lallana (Southampton),
Javier Manquillo (Athletico Madrid and 2 years loan), Ricky Lambert
(Southampton) and Dejan Lovren (Southampton). It was like Rodgers believed in
quantity rather than quality and it cost him as only Alberto Moreno (Seville)
proved to be a decent signing last season. This is not to say that they
mentioned players weren't good enough or weren't worth their transfer fees but
rather, that last season their performance was not up to average. This season
has seen a more aggressive transfer policy by Rodgers and Liverpool with the
signings of James Milner (Manchester City), Danny Ings (Burnley), Roberto
Firmino ( Hoffenheim), to mention but a few. The talking point is the recent
signing of Belgian Christian Benteke for £32 million from Midland side Aston
Villa. This clearly shows Rodgers isn't one afraid of taking risks and isn't
contented playing safe. For a striker that scored 13 league goals in 29 matches
from an average Villa team that fought relegation all through last season, it
is a good signing. Benteke also created 33 chances and won an average duel of
49%. It should be noted that at 24 years and a first XI player for star studded
Belgian national team ahead of compatriot Romelu Lukaku before his knee injury
in 2014, Benteke is hence the striker Liverpool need. Benteke can play as a
sole striker and has an impressive hold up play to allow the more talented
likes of Philipe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino come into play. With Benteke,
Rodgers can switch to plan B (Long balls forward) because he is also deadly
with his head. Benteke thus fits perfectly into the Liverpool recruitment model
of low salary, young and high resale value, dedicated and great professionalism
and a prior understanding of the English Premier League. Another good news is
that his stat is so impressive. Since joining Aston Villa from Belgian Club
Genk in 2012 for then £7 million and making his debut on September 15, 2012,
only Sergio Aguero (55 goals), Luis Suarez (53 goals), Robin Van Persie (44
goals) have all scored more goals than him (42), and he must surely be proud to
belong in the class of such mentioned strikers. He is higher than Oliver Giroud
(41), Wayne Rooney (41) and Romelu Lukaku (41). With the anticipated
combination of Benteke and Firmino, Coutinho, Origi and Coutinho coupled with
the determination, zeal and sheer desire of Milner, Allen and Lucas, then
Liverpool is surely going places. It is clear that Benteke is the "Last
Dice" of Brendan Rodgers and unlike Mario Balotelli, he is a transfer
orchestrated by Rodgers himself rather than the transfer committee. Come next
season summer, the success or failure of Rodgers will rest on the ability of
Benteke to deliver. As Kop fans always say, "Rodgers will never walk
alone," maybe he will walk with the team to lift the English Premier
league trophy.
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